Part 19 (2/2)

”All the difference in the world! I don't care a rap for your feasts and I wouldn't take all the tender young lambs in the world at that price.” And away ran the Wolf to the woods.

_There is nothing worth so much as liberty._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG

A Fox, swimming across a river, was barely able to reach the bank, where he lay bruised and exhausted from his struggle with the swift current. Soon a swarm of blood-sucking flies settled on him; but he lay quietly, still too weak to run away from them.

A Hedgehog happened by. ”Let me drive the flies away,” he said kindly.

”No, no!” exclaimed the Fox, ”do not disturb them! They have taken all they can hold. If you drive them away, another greedy swarm will come and take the little blood I have left.”

_Better to bear a lesser evil than to risk a greater in removing it._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE BAT AND THE WEASELS

A Bat blundered into the nest of a Weasel, who ran up to catch and eat him. The Bat begged for his life, but the Weasel would not listen.

”You are a Mouse,” he said, ”and I am a sworn enemy of Mice.

Every Mouse I catch, I am going to eat!”

”But I am not a Mouse!” cried the Bat. ”Look at my wings. Can Mice fly? Why, I am only a Bird! Please let me go!”

The Weasel had to admit that the Bat was not a Mouse, so he let him go. But a few days later, the foolish Bat went blindly into the nest of another Weasel. This Weasel happened to be a bitter enemy of Birds, and he soon had the Bat under his claws, ready to eat him.

”You are a Bird,” he said, ”and I am going to eat you!”

”What,” cried the Bat, ”I, a Bird! Why, all Birds have feathers!

I am nothing but a Mouse. 'Down with all Cats,' is _my_ motto!”

And so the Bat escaped with his life a second time.

_Set your sails with the wind._

THE QUACK TOAD

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